SM Prime, PMA sign deal for Henry Sy Sr. Hall in Baguio

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPH) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) have signed a memorandum of agreement for the construction of the Henry Sy Sr. Hall at Fort Del Pilar, expanding the academy’s training and communal facilities.

The project will feature a two-story structure with a multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 2,500 individuals and be used for training exercises, official gatherings, and indoor sports. It will also include office spaces and a 1.6-kilometer running track to support cadet activities.

Designed by JSLA Architects, the facility prioritizes typhoon resilience in line with Baguio’s climate conditions and the PMA’s requirement for durable, long-life infrastructure.

PMA Superintendent Vice Admiral Caesar Bernard Valencia said the partnership supports the academy’s mission of developing officers grounded in character and service.

“PMA produces leaders anchored in honor, integrity, and selfless service—leaders of character,” Valencia said. “This is the PMA’s contribution to the nation, and this is what the generosity of SM Prime strengthens.”

Valencia said the new facilities will play a critical role in shaping leadership qualities beyond the classroom. “The new mess hall and athletic oval are not merely physical structures; they are integral to the formation of leaders. They shape discipline, resilience, teamwork, and character—qualities that can never be taught in classrooms alone,” he said.

He added that the project supports the academy’s broader transformation agenda focused on holistic leadership development.

“This infrastructure inspires excellence and helps advance our vision for the transformation of the academy,” Valencia said.

Valencia also emphasized the importance of shared spaces in cadet life. “The mess hall is where discipline becomes a habit, where unity is forged, and shared sacrifice is lived fully,” he said. “The athletic oval is where resilience is built, limits are tested, and the warrior ethos is defined—qualities essential for leadership under pressure.”

Citing SM Group’s education initiatives, Valencia said the company has a track record of delivering world-class, technologically advanced facilities designed to endure across generations.

“Today, we are both humbled and proud that PMA will receive the same standard of excellence,” he said. “These facilities will serve not only today’s cadets but generations of future officers. The PMA is now even more inspired to be always better than yesterday.”